Magnetic door retainer



May 9, 1951 M. W. FLETCHER 2,983,538

MAGNETIC DOOR RETAINER Filed May 14, 1959 INVENTOR".

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ATTD RN EYEI United Sra-fes Page 0 r assess j Y MAGNETIC DOOR RErnvnRauchan "wayne Fletcher, 1306 W. `Elm sf., Enid, Okla. a rue May A14,`1959, ser. No. 813,088

2 Claims. (or. 29e-251.5)`

This invention relates to a magnetic retainer, and more particularly toa magnetic retainer for a swlngrng door. The object of the invention isto provide a magnetic taining a door in closed position. `:Anotherobject of the invention is to provide a magnetlc door retainer whichincludes a magnet that 4is adapted to coact with a movable member, andwherein the movable member-can be adjusted or moved to diierentposrtrons as desired so as to provide Aa means for regulating orcontrolling the actuation of the magnetic door retainer of the presentinvention.

A `further object of the invention is to provide a magnetic doorretainer which is extremely simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages will fbe apparent during the course of thefollowing description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, and inwhich like numerals are used to designate like parts throughout the sameFig. 1 is an elevational view illustrating a door equipped with amagnetic door retainer of the present invention;

Fig. 2- is a sectional view taken on the line 2--2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an elevational view illustrating certain constructionaldetails ofthe present invention.

Fig. 4 is a view taken at right angles to the view shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional View.

Fig. 6 is a view illustrating the track and adjustable body member.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken on the line 7--7 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a sectional View taken on the line 8 8 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing the construction of certain pantsof the present invention.

Referring in detail to the drawings, the numeral 10 indicates "a doorframe, and the numeral 11 indicates a door which is hingedly connectedto the frame 10 as at 12. The frame 10 includes a horizontally disposedstationary rail 13.

According to the present invention there is provided a magnetic doorretainer which includes a track 14, Fig. 9, and the track 14 includes `aback wall 15, the track 14 being fastened to the door 11 as at 16. 'Ilhetrack 14 further includes a pair of spaced parallel side walls 17 aswell as opposed flanges 18. There is provided on one end of the track 14an end member 19, and the numeral 20 indicates an end piece which isadapted to be fastened in the other end of the track 14.

Slidably or adjustably connected to the track 14 is a body member 21provided with opposed grooves 22 that slidably receive the flanges 18ofthe track 14. The body member 21 further includes Aa wide outer faceportion 23. The interior of the body member 21 is provided with a recess24, and the numeral 25 indicates a spring member which is arranged inthe recess 24, the spring member t retainer vwhich is adapted to be usedfor selectively main- Nce . 2 4 j providing a means forholding the bodymember 21 immobile in its various adjusted positions. There is furtherprovided a block 26 which is secured to the rail 13 as,for example, bymeans of securing elements 27. A shank 28 extends from the block 26, anda magnet 29 is aixed to the shank 28. Magnet 29 is adapted to coact withthe body member 21 so as to selectively maintain the door 11 in itsclosed position.

lFrom the foregoing, it is apparent that there has been provided amagnetic door retainer which will provide a means for el'ectivelymaintaining or retaining a door in closed position. According to thepresent invention the track 14 is adapted to be secured to the door 11,and the end member 19 as well as the end piece 20 provide stop,

members for limiting sliding movement of the body member 21. The bodymernlber 21 is Slidably connected to the track 14, and the body member21 Iis adapted to coact with the magnet 29 so that the door can beselectively kept closed. The magnet 29 is supported by the shank 28which extends fromthe block 26, and the block 26 is fastened to theframe or rail 13 by means of securing elements 27. t

It is tozbe noted that when the magnetic door retainer is to be used,the body member 21 is arranged in such a. position that the face portion23 will be contiguous to the magnet 29. At such times when the magneticdoor retainer is not being used, the body member 21 can -be slid orshifted along the track 14 so that there will be no coaction between themagnet 29 and body member 21.

The 'body member 21 has the recess 24 in which is positioned the springmember 25, and the spring member 25 exerts suflicient pressure againstthe track 14 so as to hold the body member 21 stationary in its adjustedposition.

The parts can be made of any suitable material and in diierent shapes orsizes.

As previously stated, the member 21 can be adjusted so that the tensionor pull of the magnet can be adjusted from zero to upwards of manypounds. The present invention embodies the most eicient way whereby thepull of a permanent magnet may be controlled and this is by moving themetal plate 21 which is attracted by the magnet, or the moving of themagnet itself from the metal plate and this movement may be accomplishedby movements from up to 180.

The purpose of the present invention is to hold or maintain an inwardswinging door of `a building in a closed position especially ,duringhigh winds or whenever the user wishes the door to be controlled. Thepresent invention can be used on commercial store front constructionsand a positive latch is provided to hold the door in a closed positionduring -a wind storm or during strong winds. A magnet is used for powerto keep the door in a controlled closed position during a strong: windand the device can be disengaged by moving the bar or member 21 alongthe metal track 14 out of the range of the magnet 29. The magnet 29 issupported by the under side of the door frame header opposite the hingeside of the frame. The member 21 is connected to the track 14 before theend piece 20 is secured in place. The spring member 25 is positioned inthe recess 24 before the member 21 is connected to the track 14. Thegrooves 22 are arranged so that themember 21 will be able to slide onthe metal track 14 only when pressure is applied to the member 21 in thedirection that the person desires to move it. 'I'he movable body memberwill engage or bypass the magnet only the distance the operator wishesso that a means is provided for controlling the desired amount ofmagnetic pull. The member 21 may be adjusted by finger-tip control toregulate the magnetic pull on the door so that a means is provided forcontrolling the door from wind pressure. The block 26 may be applied tothe wall surface on either side of the entrance t. T '2,983538 Y vadjacent. thefln'ged edgeofthe door andthe magnet' 29 on the kblockltican bepositioned so that ,it will `engage the body member 21 and such laIpositioning of these elements to operate as previously described willhold the dorzopeminst'ead of in ,a'closed position. The `spring 25kmaintains a constant pressurevbetweenvthe metal track and-the member 21sowas toassure: thatfthe member21 will sltay'inztheidesiredadjustedpositionfor correct pull. Minorchang'esinshape, size and'rearrangement of details coming withinthe eldl of'inventionsclairnedfmay be `resorted `to in actualpractice if desired.

What ,isl claimed is: I ,1.v In-iadevice of the character described, foruse with a stationarylframe including IValail, land a door hingedlyconnected to said frame, the improvement 'comprising a track secu-red tothe `door and yincluding a back wall and spaced apart longitudinallyextending sidewalls, opposed anges' extending'fromsaid Aside walls, anendmember on one end of said track anpend'piece secured to the other end.ofjsaid track, a body member of magnetic material slidably connected tosaid track and including a pair of opposed grooves for slidablylreceiving saidV flanges, said body member further including a'wideouter face portion, agblock' fastened to said rail, :a shank extendingfrom the block, and Va magnetconnected to said shank for coaction Withthe face portion of said body member.

- 2'. Ina device of the character described, for use with "a' stationaryframe including a rail, yand la' door connected to said frame, theimprovement comprisinga track secured to the door and including a backwall and spaced apart longitudinally extending side walls, opposedflanges extending from said side walls, an end member on one end of saidtrack, an end piece secured to the other end of said track, a bodymember of magnetic material slidably connected to said track-andincluding `a pair of opposed grooves for slidably receiving said anges,said body member further includingawide outerface portion, a blockfastened to the rail, and a magnet connected to said block for coacti'onwith the face portion of said body member, there lbeing, a recess insaidrbody member, and a spring member arranged in said recess forengaging said track for mounting said bodyfmemberin adjusted relation tosaid track.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS t

